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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! - Spring Fishing
March 25, 2007
The recent period of warm weather has fish roaming freely along the shores of Lake Norman. Spring is when the opportunistic angler will cast small lures anywhere that looks like a good spot.
While fishing the banks, keep a keen eye on the water for indications of fish activity Signs can be as subtle as a small whirlpool created by a panfish sucking down an insect, or as exciting as the crashing sound of a bass inhaling a shad. Pods of baitfish that shimmer across the water might signal the presence of predators below, but are often overlooked or mistaken for ripples created by the wind. The astute angler sees everything and knows to cast at any surface disturbances.
When signs of activity are scarce, cast to the obvious places where fish are likely to be. Downed trees, brush, logs, protruding stumps, boat docks, piers, pilings, rocks, sandy banks and boat ramps are all good possibilities. Regardless of where you cast, be on the lookout for surface activity.
Casting to the right location is the first step, but it doesn't guarantee results. A major reason for not getting strikes is due to the size of the lure. Many lures are considerably larger than the natural bait supply. This is particularly true on Lake Norman, where the majority of forage fish are small shad and herring. Toss small lures on light tackle and fish deliberately slow. This will create an illusion of sorts that will make the bait appear very natural and more appealing than a fast moving larger lure.
Finesse fishing produces results, regardless of the species. Large stripers are often tempted to hit 1/4 ounce bucktails, roadrunners and spoons. Crappie are lured to bite colorful 1/32 to 1 /16th ounce jigs, while bream are known to attack the same hand tied flies used by trout fishermen. Bass fishermen are quickly learning that the same finesse techniques can trick bass into biting.
Pencil shaped (3") jerk baits, shaky head jigs with skinny 4" worms, and small soft plastics with little or no weight, are becoming baits of choice for spring bass fishermen. Finesse baits require small line, a lose drag and very light tackle. An angler's skill is tested and the fun is really on each time a big bass hits a finesse rig on light tackle.
A reminder from the NC Wildlife Resource Commission: A new law passed by the General Assembly in 2005 and effective Jan. 1, repealed the "natural bait exemption," which allows people to fish in public inland fishing waters in their county of residence without a fishing license, as long as they fish with natural bait, such as worms, crickets, shrimp, fish, etc. A fishing license is still not required to fish in a private pond, or for children under 16 years old.
To download a frequently asked question's document about the natural bait exemption, or for more information about fishing in North Carolina's public inland waters, visit the North Carolina Wildlife Commission's Web site, http://www.ncwildlife.org/.
Upcoming Events:
Free - Advanced Catfishing Seminar - Saturday, April 21, 2007- 2:00 p.m. until 4:00p.m.
Mac Byrum and Capt. Gus Gustafson will conduct this seminar at Gander Mountain, Mooresville, NC. 704 658 0822
NCCATS - Catfish Tournament - April 21, 2007 - 7:00 p.m.- 8 a.m. @ Pinnacle Access - Lake Norman, NC. Visit http://www.nccats.net for additional information.
Lake Norman Striper Swipers Spring Classic- Striper Tournament - May 5 - 6, 2007
Mark your calendars and visit http://www.lnssfishn.com for additional information.
Tips from Gus: The morning bite has been excellent. An early start not only improves the chances of catching fish, but anglers are more likely to avoid noise and boat wakes as traffic increases throughout the day.
The Hot Spots of the Week - Striper and bass fishing is very good. Most fish are being taken in relatively shallow water. Warming waters also have catfish prowling the banks and hitting a variety of baits.
The lake level is 96.6 or 3.4' below full pond. Surface water temperatures are in the mid-fifties. The water continues to be muddy in places
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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